Some argue that attaining the financial muscle to achieve the SDGs can’t be done without diversifying funding.
Photograph: Reuters

“‘Business as usual’ will not get us where we need to be by 2030,” said Wu Hongbo, UN under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs, addressing the international community in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last summer.

His speech, delivered at a gathering to discuss financing for development, acknowledged the ambition of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), and the significant ramp-up in resources needed to achieve them. While an exact figure on the financing needed to achieve the SDGs - which include ‘end poverty in all its forms everywhere’ - has been elusive, it is widely suggested to require a movement from ‘billions to trillions’.

Given the existing challenges in this area, the question is – where is the money coming to come from? While the role of the private sector has been controversial, many argue that attaining the necessary financial muscle can’t be done without diversifying the funding framework.

So what changes do we need to see in the combination of those providing funding for development? Where are the innovative financing models? And if there is no ‘one-size fits all’ solution, how can approaches be tailored to the specific demands of the different goals?

Join a panel of experts on Thursday 21 January from 1-3pm GMT, to discuss these questions and more in a live online Q&A.

The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). Get in touch via globaldevpros@theguardian.com or @GuardianGDP on Twitter to recommend someone for our expert panel. Follow the discussion using the hashtag #globaldevlive.

Panel

Ralitza Dimova, lecturer in development economics, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK, @RalitzaDimovaRalitza is an economist and has worked in a number of countries, including France, India, Germany and the US. Over the past eight years, the main geographic focus of her research has been West Africa.

Theodore Talbot, senior analyst, Center for Global Development (CGD), London, UKTheodore works at CGD on innovative development finance. Previously he has worked in Ethiopia, India, the US, Canada, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

Hafiz Mirza, chief, Investment Issues Research, UNCTAD, Geneva, SwitzerlandHafiz is responsible for research on investment issues and development in the United Nation’s Investment and Enterprise Division at UNCTAD, based in Geneva.

David Hugh Jackson, director, Local Development Finance, UN Capital Development Fund, New York, USA, @davidhughjacksoDavid has 30 years experience in developing and implementing policies and mechanisms for local infrastructure and local development